MICHIGAN · SMALL GAME · 2026–27
Michigan small game
season dates.
Rabbits, hares, squirrels, pheasants, grouse, quail, woodcock, crow and other listed birds, with complete splits and local restrictions.
SMALL GAME & UPLAND BIRDS
Full dates, regional bags & management seasons
Rabbits, snowshoe hares and fox/gray squirrels have regular Sept. 15–Mar. 31 dates. Ruffed grouse closes Nov. 15–30 and reopens Dec. 1–Jan. 1. Pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and quail have restricted zones or counties; use the actual property boundary. The private-land management entries explicitly list 2026 dates; 2027 dates are not assumed.
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail rabbit · regular seasonOpen now · through March 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15, 2026 – March 31, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. | 5 daily and 10 possession, cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares combined.source · source |
| Snowshoe hare · regular seasonOpen now · through March 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15, 2026 – March 31, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. | 5 daily and 10 possession, cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares combined.source · source |
| Fox / gray squirrel (including black phase) · regular seasonOpen now · through March 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15, 2026 – March 31, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. | 5 daily and 10 possession, fox and gray squirrels combined.source · source |
| Cottontail rabbit · 2026 private-land management seasonClosed for 2026-27Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | April 1 – Sept. 14, 2026 | Private land only; Commercial Forest land open to the public excluded. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. The guide explicitly lists 2026 dates. Its April 1 opening predates the April 8 WCO amendment; confirm that historical interval. The finder covers Aug. 1 onward. No 2027 management dates have been inferred. Dogs prohibited April 16–July 7; use or properly dispose of carcasses by the DNR-approved methods. | 5 daily; 10 possession combined rabbit/hare limit.source · source |
| Fox / gray squirrel · 2026 private-land management seasonClosed for 2026-27Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | April 1 – Sept. 14, 2026 | Private land only; Commercial Forest land open to the public excluded. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. The guide explicitly lists 2026 dates. Its April 1 opening predates the April 8 WCO amendment; confirm that historical interval. The finder covers Aug. 1 onward. No 2027 management dates have been inferred. Dogs prohibited April 16–July 7; use or properly dispose of carcasses by the DNR-approved methods. | 5 daily; 10 possession combined fox/gray limit.source · source |
| Ruffed grouse · Zones 1 & 2Open now · through Nov. 14Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, 2026 Dec. 1, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Hunting Zones 1 and 2. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Closed Nov. 15–30; zones differ from waterfowl zones. | 5 daily; 10 possession.source · source |
| Ruffed grouse · Zone 3Open now · through Nov. 14Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, 2026 Dec. 1, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Hunting Zone 3. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Closed Nov. 15–30; zones differ from waterfowl zones. | 3 daily; 6 possession.source · source |
| Bobwhite quail · open counties onlyOpen now · through Nov. 14Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Oct. 20 – Nov. 14, 2026 | Only the 27 listed open counties; all other counties closed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Ionia and Highland field-trial areas have special rules. | 5 daily; 10 possession.source · source |
| Male pheasant · Zone 1 management unitClosed for 2026-27Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Oct. 10 – Oct. 31, 2026 | All Menominee County and only mapped portions of Delta, Dickinson, Iron and Marquette; remaining UP closed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Lower Peninsula public-land/Hunting Access Program pheasant licensing rules do not define this UP boundary. | 2 male pheasants daily; 4 possession.source · source |
| Male pheasant · Zones 2 & 3Open now · through Nov. 14Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Oct. 20 – Nov. 14, 2026 | Hunting Zones 2 and 3. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Pheasant license required on any Lower Peninsula public land or Hunting Access Program land. Public releases and field-trial areas have local rules. | 2 male pheasants daily; 4 possession.source · source |
| Male pheasant · December Zone 3 unitOpens Dec. 1, 2026Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Dec. 1, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Hunting Zone 3 only. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Pheasant license required on any Lower Peninsula public land or Hunting Access Program land. Public releases and field-trial areas have local rules. | 2 male pheasants daily; 4 possession.source · source |
| Sharp-tailed grouse · designated UP unit onlyCheck Michigan DNRLegal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Oct. 10 – Oct. 31, 2026 | Only the WCO 12.751 unit in portions of Chippewa and Mackinac; rest of state closed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Free sharp-tailed grouse stamp required. | 2 daily; 4 possession; 6 per season.source · source |
| Red squirrel · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Ground squirrel / chipmunk · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Woodchuck · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. State parks/recreation areas closed April 1–Sept. 14. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Feral pigeon · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| House sparrow · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Starling · no closed hunting seasonOpen now · through July 31Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful hunting is allowed. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. No closed season; displayed range is the maintained guide window, not an actual season closing. License renewal and future guide updates still apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS
Woodcock, crow, rails & snipe
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| WoodcockClosed for 2026-27Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Sept. 15 – Oct. 29, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Woodcock stamp and HIP required. Woodcock hours are sunrise to sunset, unlike the general small-game hours. | 3 daily; 9 possession.source · source |
| Crow · split seasonReopens Feb. 1, 2027Legal small-game equipment (species and local rules apply) | Aug. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Feb. 1 – March 31, 2027 | Statewide where lawful; state park/recreation closures differ. A current base or qualifying small-game license and lawful access are required. Use the DNR species-specific equipment and local hunting-hour rules; all-day dates are not shooting hours. Hunter-orange, firearm safety zones and public-property closures still apply. Isle Royale is closed to hunting. Crows cannot be hunted in state parks or recreation areas Aug. 1–Sept. 14. Damage-control exceptions are not ordinary hunting seasons. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Wilson’s snipeOpen now · through Nov. 9Legal migratory-bird equipment; species rules apply | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Confirm required base license and HIP endorsement, legal migratory-bird equipment, hours and access. King rails have no open season. Public-area restrictions apply. | 8 daily; 24 possession.source · source |
| Virginia / sora railsOpen now · through Nov. 9Legal migratory-bird equipment; species rules apply | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Confirm required base license and HIP endorsement, legal migratory-bird equipment, hours and access. King rails have no open season. Public-area restrictions apply. | 25 daily combined; 75 possession combined.source · source |
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, equipment & access
Have the current-year base or qualifying small-game license. Rabbits/hares share one combined bag; fox/gray squirrels share another. Lower Peninsula public-land and Hunting Access Program pheasants require the pheasant license. Sharp-tailed grouse require the free stamp; woodcock require their stamp and HIP. Hunter orange, shooting hours, local firearm restrictions and property closures still apply.
Youth and mentored hunters have age, license and adult-supervision requirements. A calendar match does not establish permission or possession of the correct license. Confirm the exact WMA, managed area, park, refuge, military property or island before hunting.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 small-game dates, zones and bag limits ↗; Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter III: species seasons, limits and licenses ↗
COVERAGE & LOCAL RULES
Check these before you hunt
- Bear, elk, furbearer hunting, trapping and falconry are outside this deer/turkey/waterfowl/small-game guide; check the separate DNR summaries.
- County selections narrow compatible units but do not locate the property. Hunting zones 1/2/3 differ from waterfowl North/Middle/South zones. Isle Royale is closed to hunting.
- The 2026 small-game guide explicitly dates private-land rabbit/squirrel management April 1–Sept. 14, 2026; WCO amendments took effect April 8. Its 2027 management dates are not republished here without an explicit current-year date confirmation.
- The small-game hours prose and December–February table footnote differ; confirm current DNR local hours. Woodcock is sunrise–sunset, early teal starts at sunrise, and spring turkey ends half an hour before sunset.
- The scaup table omits Sept. 19–20 special-weekend dates; duck exports for those special entries require DNR confirmation. Other listed special-day bird limits remain explicit.
- Public/refuge/park/military/drawing, sharp-tailed grouse and partial-county UP pheasant hunts need the specific area rules; source conflicts for deer islands remain guarded.
- 2027 fall duck opening days are proposals, not final seasons. No 2027 deer or next small-game management dates are inferred.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 small-game dates, zones and bag limits ↗; Michigan DNR: 2026 waterfowl regulations, zones and goose units ↗; Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter III: species seasons, limits and licenses ↗; Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter XII: deer, turkey, goose and upland units ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Prepare for your hunt
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Reviewed for this season
We compare the current Michigan DNR species guides, maps and Wildlife Conservation Order. Only published dates are listed. Saved calendars and printouts do not update automatically; sources are reviewed weekly before editorial changes are published.
- Michigan DNR: 2026 small-game dates, zones and bag limits ↗
- Michigan DNR: 2026 waterfowl regulations, zones and goose units ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter I: hunting and waterfowl zones ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter III: species seasons, limits and licenses ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter XII: deer, turkey, goose and upland units ↗
Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026. Report a change.